Fariba Sohrabi

Sugarcane yellow mite, Oligonychus sacchari McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae), is one of the most important sugarcane pests in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. This mite directly damages leaf cells by sucking chloroplasts and weakens the plant. In this study, the efects of two sugarcane by-products including molasses, vinasse, and a commercial formulation, Bino2 were investigated against O. sacchari on sugarcane, varieties CP69-1062 and CP57- 614, under feld conditions. Population densities of diferent life stages of the mite including eggs, nymphs, and adults were recorded immediately after the application and 3, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days after spraying. The results showed that the population density of diferent life stages of mite decreased over time after foliar application. The sugarcane molasses showed the most signifcant efect in controlling the population of the pest. After that, vinasse and Bino2 had appropriate acaricidal potential compared to the control. For the CP69-1062 variety, the mean population density of mites in the control treatment was 55 per leaf, and in molasses, vinasse, and Bino2 treatments was 6.48, 26.7, and 15.48 per leaf, respectively. For the CP57-614 variety, the mean population density in the control treatment was 75 per leaf, and in the molasses, vinasse, and Bino2 treatments was 5.88, 28.77, and 22.59, respectively. The highest amount of Brix, Pol, and Purity in two varieties CP69-1062 and CP57-614 was related to the molasses-treated plots. The molasses, vinasse, and Bino2 have appropriate acaricidal potential and can be used in sugarcane yellow mite management programs. However, more studies are required to confrm the fndings.